The Democratic Alliance on Monday questioned whether there was not military involvement — by past or present soldiers — in the recent spate of heists.
”The question being asked in many police circles with the current wave of terror in Johannesburg and other parts of South Africa is whether SANDF (SA National Defence Force) personnel both past or present are either directly or indirectly involved as trainers or suppliers of criminals that are threatening to place Johannesburg under siege,” spokesperson Roy Jankielsohn said.
Many armed robberies, heists and attacks on the police were carried out with military precision using military arms and ammunition, he said.
Automatic weapons such as AK47s and R4s are and were only issued to either the SANDF or its predecessors the SADF (SA Defence Force), MK (Umkhonto we Sizwe) and Apla (Azanian People’s Liberation Army).
Police sources confirmed that SANDF R4 ammunition was used in an attack in Bedfordview last week, Jankielsohn said.
”Government must ensure that the police, military and national intelligence agencies co-operate in order to track down the criminal syndicates that are threatening to turn our festive season into a bloodbath,” he said.
”Surely it is not impossible for our intelligence agencies to find out who is responsible for what appears to be well-organised and orchestrated military attacks on the public, private security companies and the police.”
Jankielsohn concluded: ”We owe it to our outgunned police who confront these criminals with courage and dedication to put a stop to this slaughter.” – Sapa